Palace (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

by Olly Hawkins · 19 April 2022, 19:37

Three games at St James' Park in just under two weeks? I could get used to this, especially when we keep on winning!

In fact, Eddie Howe bidding to become the first Newcastle United boss since the great Sir Bobby Robson to make it SIX home wins on the trot.

I'm sure everyone will agree that Sunday's win over Leicester meant we are now safe. After all, we're now 12 points clear of third bottom Burnley and finally looking up, knowing a win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night could send us into the top 10 if results elsewhere go our way!

Considering the position we were in and the fact no team in Premier League history has EVER avoided relegation after failing to win any of their opening 14 games, it is really quite remarkable.

Palace won't make it easy. They have done superbly under Patrick Vieira this season and have good players all over the pitch. Mitchell has been a revelation at left-back, their centre- back pairing of Andersen and Guehi is one of the best in the bottom half, Gallagher is a future star they're lucky to have in midfield and the likes of Olise and Zaha are capable of match-winning moments of brilliance in attack.

Saying that, they could arrive tired and deflated after their biggest game of the season ended in defeat on Sunday, losing 2-0 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.

Hopefully they have one eye on the beach and we want it that bit more, knowing an unlikely top 10 finish might just be possible if we can continue our winning streak at St James' Park!

Team news

Ryan Fraser (hamstring) looks set for another scan and has been ruled out alongside Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson.

Joe Willock will be pushing for a return to our starting XI after his brilliant run helped set up Bruno Guimaraes' 95th minute winner over Leicester, although it's hard to say who'd drop out of midfield if he does!

For the Eagles, Luka Milivojević looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury, but Michael Olise is back in contention after he made his comeback from a foot injury from the bench at Wembley.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey, Willock – Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin.

Martin Dubravka – Had so little to do against Leicester but will be keen to add another clean sheet to his tally this time.

Emil Krafth – If it wasn't for Guimaraes' brace, he might've come away with the man of the match award on Sunday. While Trippier is out, it seems he's now Howe's No 1 choice at right-back and deservedly so. He was ill last week, however, so hopefully he's fully recovered.

Fabian Schar – I keep wondering when Howe will give Lascelles a chance, but it's hard to see him splitting up Schar and Burn, especially when the former helps us get on the front foot at home.

Dan Burn – Another solid display on Sunday, with him recovering from an awkward clash with Dubravka in the opening stages.

Matt Targett – Was one of several unsung heroes over the weekend, defending well and playing a lovely ball down the line for Willock to help set up our stoppage time winner. Will be keen to keep impressing to make sure he lands a permanent move in the summer!

Bruno Guimaraes – Has looked every bit a £35m player and Brazilian international in his last two home starts, not only scoring twice but showing his quality on and off the ball.

Jonjo Shelvey – Had a quiet game in some respects against Leicester, yet it proved how much he's worked on the ugly side of football, with his closing down and breaking up of play helping us get over the line.

Joe Willock – I may be wrong, but Joelinton has looked a shade below his best over the past few weeks, so this could be the night where Howe gives Willock a start; especially when he had such a positive impact from the bench on Sunday.

Miguel Almiron – Ran himself into the ground over the weekend and showed flashes of South American flare on the ball, even if his end product remains a problem. While Fraser remains out, he looks likely to keep his place as Murphy did little to impress during his short cameo.

Allan Saint-Maximin – Needs a goal for his confidence and could get some joy in this one, with Palace's right-back options (Clyne and Ward) both likely to be left for dead by the Frenchman. Really hope the ASM we all know and love turns up here!

Chris Wood – Was taken off in the 69th minute against the Foxes in a game he struggled to get into. However, he still gives us the focal point up top and does the dirty work so well, so I'd be surprised if Gayle - who looked bright from the bench on Sunday - gets a rare start instead.

Predicted Palace XI (4-2-3-1): Guaita - Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell - Kouyate, Schlupp - Ayew, Gallagher, Zaha - Mateta.